Pat Robertson, the network's 83-year-old founder, was not condoning adultery when he answered a viewer's quesion on "The 700 Club" this week, the network said.

The viewer said she was having difficulty forgiving her husband for cheating. Robertson said the “secret” was to “stop talking about the cheating. He cheated on you. Well, he’s a man. OK.”

Robertson went on to suggest the woman focus on why she had married her husband and whether he provided for her needs and those of their children, adding, “Is he handsome? Start focusing on these things and essentially fall in love all over again.”

“Males have a tendency to wander a little bit. And what you want to do is make a home so wonderful he doesn’t want to wander.”

CBN spokesman Chris Roslan wrote in a statement that Robertson’s “intent was not to condone infidelity or to cast blame. We regret any misunderstanding."

Robertson off-the-cuff comments over the years have perplexed and angered other Christian leaders. One Christian pastor said his New Year’s resolution was to not comment on Robertson’s gaffes for an entire year.

Here are some of Robertson's most memorable statements:

1. The U.S. should kill Chavez

In 2005 Robertson suggested the United States should assassinate Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

"We have the ability to take him out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability. We don’t need another $200 billion war to get rid of one strong-arm dictator. It’s a whole lot easier to have some of the covert operatives do the job and then get it over with,” he said in a segment about the now-deceased head of state.

After considerable outcry, the minister backtracked and released a statement saying, “Is it right to call for assassination? No, and I apologize for that statement. I spoke in frustration that we should accommodate the man who thinks the U.S. is out to kill him."

Robertson, who once ran for president as a Republican, broke ranks with religious conservatives by endorsing the legalization of marijuana. "I believe in working with the hearts of people, and not locking them up," he said in a 2010 broadcast of "The 700 Club."

Cue spokesman Chris Roslan, who wrote, “Pat has never condoned the use of, nor does he use, marijuana.”

3. You know who’s to blame for that earthquake in Haiti? Haitians.

Shortly after a 2010 earthquake in Haiti left more than 220,000 people dead and Port-au-Prince decimated, Robertson referenced a slave revolt in 1804, where, legend has it, the Haitian slaves made a deal with the devil to shake off French colonialism.

"And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, 'We will serve you if you will get us free from the French.' True story. And so the devil said, 'OK, it's a deal,'" Robertson said one day after the quake.

"You know, the Haitians revolted and got themselves free. But ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after the other."

That day CBN quickly clarified: “Dr. Robertson never stated that the earthquake was God’s wrath. If you watch the entire video segment, Dr. Robertson’s compassion for the people of Haiti is clear.” In fact, while Robertson was talking about Haiti on TV, his charitable arm Operation Blessing was already on the ground providing medical treatment, food, and supplies to victims.

4. Gay days = hurricanes and possibly meteors

In June 1998, after Walt Disney World announced it would have special days for gay and lesbian families in Orlando, and city officials announced they would fly rainbow flags in support of the event, Robertson warned the city, "You're right in the way of some serious hurricanes, and I don't think I'd be waving those flags in God's face if I were you."

Robertson told the Orlando Sentinel at the time that his comments were taken out of context and released a full transcript of what he said on the show:

“So if the United States wants to embrace 'degrading passions' - according to the Bible, something that the Bible says is an abomination against God - we're not in any way, shape or form hating anybody. This is not a message of hate; this is a message of redemption. But if a condition like this will bring about the destruction of your nation; if it will bring about terrorist bombs; if it'll bring about earthquakes, tornadoes and possibly a meteor, it isn't necessarily something we ought to open our arms to. And I would warn Orlando that you're right in the way of some serious hurricanes and I don't think I'd be waving those flags in God's face if I were you."

soundoff(2,964 Responses)

PaulB

What Pat says does matter because, contrary to popular opinion, most Christians don't actually get their morals from the Bible, but from pastors like Pat telling them what to believe and claiming that it's biblical. Don't doubt that some of his diehard fans will take his advice in this as biblically sound because they trust him and are just too lazy to read the Bible for themselves.

May 18, 2013 at 7:05 pm |

Wrong!

Really? Not all Christians buddy follow the words of their Pastor over the bible. Whatever a Pastor says, as a Christian, if you are, you should go to the bible to make sure whatever someone like a Pastor says is backed up by the bible, GOD's Holy Word.

2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

May 18, 2013 at 7:12 pm |

Observer

Wrong!

It's all pick-and-choose hypocrisy from the Bible. That's how so many Christians can pick on gays while ignoring the MUCH GREATER number of Christian adulterers who remarry. That's how so many Christians can pretend the Bible ever mentions abortion.

May 18, 2013 at 7:16 pm |

Wrong!

Whatever...your comment is hypocrisy. Please turn to Jesus, the one and only one that can save you.

May 18, 2013 at 7:19 pm |

Observer

Wrong!

"Whatever...your comment is hypocrisy"

What hypocrisy?

May 18, 2013 at 7:21 pm |

The real Tom

Wrong, it's always amusing to watch people like you fail to provide answers and yet continue to insist that you know what god will do.

May 18, 2013 at 7:22 pm |

Athy

Wrong. I don't know what's wrong, but something is.

May 18, 2013 at 7:31 pm |

yep

christians and muslims are pretty strange people, delusional. They're so alike yet they hate each other.

May 18, 2013 at 7:04 pm |

Wrong!

Hey Yep. Please tell me where in the bible it says that all Christians hate Muslims.....try really hard to look, and guess what, it does not. People like you give Christians a bad name. I hope and pray that one day the Holy Spirit moves in you and you come to the realization that you are a sinner and need a savior....that savior is Jesus Christ.

May 18, 2013 at 7:16 pm |

Heretic

If jesus comes back hes going back on that cross.

May 18, 2013 at 7:47 pm |

AB Negative

God hates you unless you love him and worship him.

May 18, 2013 at 7:03 pm |

Wrong!

That is just bull. Why do you post something like that?

May 18, 2013 at 7:09 pm |

Observer

Wrong!

Could you send someone to hell for not loving you?

May 18, 2013 at 7:10 pm |

AB Negative

What is wrong with it? That is accurate based on Christianity.

May 18, 2013 at 7:11 pm |

Anonymous

God doesn't send people to hell. He just created it and allows some people to go there because of bad choices they've made.

May 18, 2013 at 7:13 pm |

No, God is almost powerless to keep people from the hell He created. He did make one way for people to escape but not everyone takes it.

May 18, 2013 at 7:15 pm |

Observer

"God is almost powerless to keep people from the hell He created"

So much for the nonsense about God being all-powerful.

May 18, 2013 at 7:19 pm |

The real Tom

Blank, if you worship an omnipotent god, but he can't manage to destroy hell, how omnipotent is he? If he's merciful, but only if one believes in him, how truly merciful is he?

May 18, 2013 at 7:21 pm |

He's a special needs God. Not really omni -anything. Not exactly merciful, but he'd be well-intentioned if only he were clever enough for it.

May 18, 2013 at 7:25 pm |

Livilla

Which god?

May 18, 2013 at 8:02 pm |

Athy

Unbelievable. How can anyone believe such nonsense? There is no fucking god! Never has been, never will be. Face it.

May 18, 2013 at 9:55 pm |

Lauren

SorryCNN, but I just don't think there was any "misunderstanding" here at all. It was QUITE clear to me. What I do wonder - what if ALL of the pronouns were reversed here? Mr. Robertson, what do you say THEN? I'll bet it wouldn't be the same!!!

May 18, 2013 at 7:00 pm |

AMERICANS FONDLE ISLAM

The Hindu do too. Truth absolute.

May 18, 2013 at 6:54 pm |

yep

christian/muslim,, all the same. Can't wait for these people to finally evolve.

May 18, 2013 at 7:05 pm |

trent

Nothing more than an overzealous hypocrite who claims to be a Christian. I am a Christian and am embarrassed to have him as a brother in Christ

May 18, 2013 at 6:54 pm |

Apple Bush

trent, he is one of you.

May 18, 2013 at 6:59 pm |

The real Tom

I disagree. There are millions of Christians who are nothing like Pat and are equally embarrassed at his sort.

May 18, 2013 at 7:10 pm |

HotAirAce

All members of the dead jew zombie death vampire cannibal cult aka christianity ought to be embarrassed that they believe crap that has the same non-foundation as astrology.

May 18, 2013 at 7:23 pm |

The real Tom

I am sure you have good reasons for feeling that way, HAA. I simply don't share your aversion to all Christians or all believers.

May 18, 2013 at 7:26 pm |

AB Negative

Christianity – The belief that a cosmic Jewish zombie who was his own father can make you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically tell him you accept him as your master, so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in humanity because a rib-woman was convinced by a talking snake to eat from a magical tree.

Though my life's past was flawed, I have long since turned away. The W h o r e d o m of mankind is fraught full the sensually detestable Acts that delve many into becoming w h o r I s h animals when we were created to be more than just animalisms of instinctual pleasures.

May 18, 2013 at 7:27 pm |

The real Tom

So you're saying, with all your malapropisms, that you have become judge and jury for everyone else because you've lost the ability to get it up?

My past done deeds from my childhood actions are being paid. My brother and I have been living together ever since mother died. Brother has not had a job in many years. I support us and will do until he or I dies. I could care less if my brother does not work the rest of his life. I will support him and his alcohol addiction. For, I too was once an alcoholic but in September of 2009, I was free of the urges for drinking. My brother's alcoholism is yes due in part by my giving him drink and I cannot allow myself to hold his addiction against him. I love my brother and will die defending his life!

May 18, 2013 at 7:43 pm |

The real Tom

Yawn. You've told your tale of woe before, you loon. I don't give a sh!t what you say about your reformation. You aren't fit to judge anyone as a w h o r e. So shut your stupid pie hole.

My 'plumbing' is working just fine TYVM! Your desires to elongate into barbarisms of irregular 'dogberryism' seems to elate you. I'm glad to know you get your jollies from my word usages! 🙂 😦 🙂

May 18, 2013 at 7:53 pm |

The real Tom

You haven't had a woman in years, you lying sack of poop. Don't even bother pretending that you could get one now. You're a hypocrite, LL. You think you have some right to call others w h o r e s when you don't approve of what they do. You don't.

Where in any of my posts did I call anyone a 'w h o r e'? I speak about the world's w h o r e d o m ways and do not implicate anyone unless of course they feel they are being implicated. Are you Tommie feeling implicated?

Just because my 'plumbing' works fine does not mean I w h o r e after a woman! At 58, my w h o r I n g years are now set behind me. My love is brotherly and yes I do so love my brother despite his alcohol addiction. What more might I want and have than my brother's love?

May 18, 2013 at 8:08 pm |

The real Tom

Knock it off, you hypocrite. You're not pulling the wool over anyone's eyes. You abused your brother, you're mentally unstable, and you have no business abjuring anyone else.

Your 'adjuration' is duly noted. I will never bow to you nor anyone who eviscerates my stance!

May 18, 2013 at 8:21 pm |

The real Tom

You can't read, much less write, you blind coot.

May 18, 2013 at 8:23 pm |

The real Tom

Vomiting up meaningless drivel like "w h o r e d o m ways" and "eviscerate my stance" just make you look even more loony, LL. You don't have a clue what you're talking about. I doubt you have the slightest inkling as to the meaning of the words you type–you just use them because you think they sound cool and smart.

Funny how our society makes adultery seem cool. We have shows that glorify adultery, cheating, swinging, and wife swapping. However a preacher says that adultery is OK, now everyone is outraged. Please! We are a nation of hypocrites! Either adultery is wrong or its not. According to the Bible, it is wrong. So we should all be outraged at adultery and stop glorifying it.

May 18, 2013 at 6:42 pm |

Hiram57

Is it any wonder that Radical Christianity is losing members in droves ? People like Robertson have made Christianity a laughing-stock for too long, and the Mainstream is losing faith in them.
Best he just retire, move into a Ward for Nutcases, and leave his Satanic babblings to his nurses (who will just ignore them for what they are... babblings).

May 18, 2013 at 6:41 pm |

ISLAM FOUNDATION OF AMERICAN CONSTI TUTION

It has a way to go, but comparatively in last 50 years, they have changed, non white were not considered human by faith of Christianity, as it is today, in land of hindu atheism, criminal self center ism india. A hindu dark spot on human race.

May 18, 2013 at 6:47 pm |

ANON

After all, my vicious posters; it's ONLY a man's opinion! Jeez, they call it ,"freedom of speech."

May 18, 2013 at 6:36 pm |

PaulB

And we have freedom to criticize that speech, so what are you complaining about actually?

May 18, 2013 at 7:00 pm |

ISLAM FOUNDATION OF AMERICAN CONSTI TUTION

True face of hindu atheism,criminal self center ism, 300 million human degraded below human level, untouchable, for just being of a dark skin, by faith of hinduism, racism. They need to have a look upon themselves, before attacking other faiths for minor infringements.

Pat Robertson is what the anti-religious call a "trainload of ammunition".

May 18, 2013 at 6:14 pm |

Kate

"We regret any misunderstanding." Oh Come on. Really? A misunderstanding? There is no misunderstanding. His message was simple: "Men will be men. It's their nature to cheat and if a woman took better care of her man, he wouldn't wander."

They seem to misunderstand that Pat Robertson simply needs a muzzle. He really should stop speaking publicly.

May 18, 2013 at 6:13 pm |

Apple Bush

Kate, it is a free country. The man can say whatever he believes.

May 18, 2013 at 6:20 pm |

Athy

Au contrare. Let him speak. The more he speaks the better atheism begins to look.

May 18, 2013 at 6:23 pm |

Pssst

Athy,

I know that you like things to be correct. So, fyi, it's "au contraire".

- http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/au%20contraire

May 18, 2013 at 7:02 pm |

Athy

Yeah, the n my keyboard ddn't work, damn t.

May 18, 2013 at 7:35 pm |

Carol

Now if it had been a woman who had committed adultery, Robertson would advocate stoning.

May 18, 2013 at 6:04 pm |

Grafted Olive Branch

I think Pat would teach what Jesus taught when the woman who was caught in adultery was brought to Jesus and the religious of the day wanted to stone her.

Jesus said; “let he who is without sin cast the first stone”. The religious walked away without throwing stones. Jesus then said to the woman; “Go and sin no more”.

The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.